Macy Sorensen is settling into an ambitious if emotionally tepid routine: work hard as a new pediatrics resident, plan her wedding to an older, financially secure man, keep her head down and heart tucked away.

But when she runs into Elliot Petropoulos—the first and only love of her life—the careful bubble she’s constructed begins to dissolve. Once upon a time, Elliot was Macy’s entire world—growing from her gangly teen friend into the man who coaxed her heart open again after the loss of her mother…only to break it on the very night he declared his love for her.

Told in alternating timelines between Then and Now, teenage Elliot and Macy grow from friends to much more—spending weekends and lazy summers together in a house outside of San Francisco, reading books, sharing favorite words, and talking through their growing pains and triumphs. As adults, they have become strangers to one another until their chance reunion. Although their memories are obscured by the agony of what happened that night so many years ago, Elliot will come to understand the truth behind Macy’s decade-long silence, and will have to overcome the past and himself to revive her faith in the possibility of an all-consuming love.

I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with these authors. This is the third book of theirs that I’ve read, and unfortunately, I think it’s time to break up. They are just not my cup of tea when it comes to contemporary romances. Many of their characters felt too juvenile and emotionally immature. I don’t care for the crass, foul language. They lean too left/liberal for my liking. And I prefer clean, closed-door romances without all the graphic smut. 

However, I will say that of the three books I’ve read, this one was probably the best story if I had to choose one, but I still didn’t care for it that much. It was just okay for me. I read Every Summer After by Carley Fortune last year, which I actually really liked, so reading this book afterward feels like I read somewhat of the same plot. It felt very similar, but not executed as well. Although the big reveal in this book was better than in Fortune’s book. 

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator did a decent job, but she needed to work on her different voices for the characters. All of the guys sounded the same, and most of the girls sounded the same as well, so I became a little lost and confused at times because I couldn’t tell who was speaking or if she was reading dialogue or exposition. Also, the voice of young Elliott sounded way too old for a young teenage boy, so that was jarring to hear. 

This is a best friends-to-lovers romance told in past and present timelines. The back and forth in these types of stories can be hit or miss with me. It partially worked in this story. The past felt like a coming-of-age story, which was cute, but then it got very awkward. When teenage Macy and Elliott started talking about kissing, self-pleasure, and spice, it felt uncomfortable and icky. I don’t feel it’s necessary for adults to read/listen about teenagers having sex. I didn’t want to listen to these parts of the story. Then, with the present timelines, it was just boring. Nothing really happened, and I wanted more – something to keep me entertained and engaged, but it never really did. 

The romance was decent but not swoon-worthy. I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. There was a little but not a lot of passion. It felt like a romance of convenience. Their feelings for each other blossomed just because they had history and had grown up together. It felt a bit forced at times. It was also a little too angsty for my taste. 

I also didn’t really care for either main character. Again, they felt immature and emotionally stunted. They were annoying and irritating. They didn’t know how to just communicate and talk to each other, like adults, which is one of my biggest pet peeves in these types of books. I think romances written by millennials for millennials are books I need to stay away from because I’m not their target audience. I’m older (Gen X), and I have such a hard time with these young love stories. 

There is a lot of crass, foul language, which I think is lazy writing and unnecessary. There are also a couple of spicy scenes that get explicit. I would rate them R. I don’t need to be in the bedroom or bed with the couple to know what’s happening. 

Overall, I didn’t hate this story, but I didn’t really like it either. I was generous with my three-star rating. If you like friends-to-lovers, a bit of a love triangle, and second-chance romance, then you may enjoy this story more than I did. Personally, I would not recommend this book. There are many better love stories out there, but if it sounds interesting to you, then maybe give it a shot. Unfortunately, I will not pick up another book by these ladies. Best of luck to them!